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Science News Archive March 2015 - Page 28


Page 28 of 38

Johns Hopkins researchers engineer custom blood cells

Scientists have made a breakthrough in treating patients with sickle cell disease by engineering custom blood cells that can evade the immune system. Lab-grown stem cells were reprogrammed and edited using CRISPR to replace the defective gene, resulting in healthy red blood cells that function just as well as those from unaffected donors.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalStem Cells·DateMar 9, 2015

Seeing tiny twins

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have made a groundbreaking discovery in the study of nanomaterials, revealing that tiny tungsten crystals can exhibit deformation twinning, which affects their strength and function. This phenomenon has significant implications for the development of nanostructured metals and alloys.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 9, 2015

Interdependence explained

A UCSB ecologist examines how human disturbance affects landscape and wildlife, revealing links between conservation and human health. She finds that land-use change increases plague transmission by moving rodents closer to human habitats, while environmental conditions affect flea infestations.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·DateMar 9, 2015

Vaccinate against measles

A recent study examines reasons people refuse vaccines and highlights the importance of vaccination in preventing measles outbreaks. The study found that vaccine refusal can lead to unnecessary risk to children, with cases reporting complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis.

SourceWiley·JournalAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health·DateMar 9, 2015

Assumptions of equality lead to poorer group decisions

New research from University College London suggests that people with differing competence give each other's views equal weight, preventing optimal group decisions. This 'equality bias' affects decision-making processes in various contexts, including everyday situations and high-level policy decisions.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2015

Viagra in combination with new drugs can have anti-cancer, antibacterial, and therapeutic effects

A Review article discusses how existing drugs like Viagra can reduce the activity of a specific chaperone protein, HSPA5/Dna K, which may lead to anti-tumor and anti-Alzheimer's disease effects. The study also reveals potential applications in treating antibiotic-resistant infections and chemotherapy-resistant cancers.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalDNA and Cell Biology·DateMar 9, 2015

Innovative light therapy reaches deep tumors

Researchers have developed a new light therapy that can reach deep tumors using nanoparticles and FDG, producing different kinds of free radicals that overwhelm tumor cells. This treatment shows promise in reducing cancer growth and increasing survival rates with minimal toxic side effects.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMar 9, 2015

CEO bonuses could cost companies in the long term

A new study published in the Review of Financial Studies suggests that regulating CEO payments and performance bonuses can lead to more profitable companies in the long term. The research found that relying on bonuses can encourage CEOs to pursue short-term gains, leading to poor strategic decisions.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalReview of Financial Studies·DateMar 9, 2015

Traffic light food labels strengthen self-control

Researchers at the University of Bonn found that traffic light labels are more effective in helping consumers resist high-calorie foods than traditional nutrition labels. The study participants were willing to pay significantly more for healthy products with green labels and less for unhealthy products with red labels.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalObesity·DateMar 9, 2015

'Exercise hormone' irisin may be a myth

Recent research suggests that irisin, believed to travel from muscle to fat tissue after exercise, may not exist in humans. New tests used in previous studies found antibodies were poorly vetted and nonspecific, leading to false positive results.

SourceDuke University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 9, 2015